Show-case



- 2 Sheets-S1 1eet 1. W. BOWER. SHOW GASE- 1N0 Model.)

Patented Apr. 28, 1896.

(No Model.) Q '2 Sheets-Sheet 2 W. BOWEB. snow GASE- No. 559,159. I P 5511555 Apr. 25, 1895.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IVILLIAM BOIVER, OF OLNEY, ILLINOIS.

s HOW-CA8 E.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 559,159, dated April 28, 1896.

Application filed September 3, 1895. Serial No. 561,332. (No model.)

T0 at whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM BOWER, a citi zen of the United States, residing at Olney, in the county of Richland and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Show-Cases, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in cases which are used for exhibiting and retaining goods; and it has for its object to provide a construction wherein the case may be opened, so that the customer can make his own selection of goods from the stock. My invention is particularly adapted for use in connection with the sale of cigars,and in such adaptation its utility will be most apparent.

My invention consists in providing a showcase with a movable side wall which can be moved by the salesman or attendant in order to permit the customer to make his own selection, whereby a double handling of the goods is avoided and the contents of the entire case are exposed in order to give the purchaser his choice of the stock.

I A number of mechanical devices may be adapted for carrying out my invention; but I have shown in the accompanying drawings an adequate means for moving one of the walls of the show-case, said means being un der the control of the attendant, so that the case may be opened and closed and locked in the closed position.

In the drawings, Figure 1- is a perspective view, and Fig. 2 is an end elevation, of the show case embodying my improvements. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view through the case, showing means for moving it in elevation.

In the drawings, let A represent the counter on which is mounted the show-case B, having the usual transparent top and side sections, (marked 0 D, respectively.) The front wall of the showcase, by which is meant the side next to the customer, is made movable, and said wall may be constructed in one or more movable sections, (marked E,)

adapted to slide in ways formed in the cornerpieces and through a slot or aperture in the bottom of the case and in the top of the counter; This movable section may be connected by a link, as F, to a pivoted arm or the movable wall and the I I bell-crank G, the pivot being marked 9 and the bell-crank behind the pivot being weighted, as shown at II. An operating-lever I is pivotally connected to the outer member of the bell-crank and extended up alongside of the back of the showcase, passing through a keeper 2', which may also constitute a lock for the handle. Instead of the lever Ithe bellcrank may be provided with a foot-treadle, or any other convenient mechanical means may be used for lowering the movable section of the case and raising it again to place. I have made said section to slide vertically, and this is the preferred construction. The weight is employed so as to return the sliding section to its place and hold it there without labor on the part of the attendant and without the necessity of employing-any lockin g means.

It will be understood that each sliding section, where more than one is employed in a case, will be connected with the same pivot or rock-shaft, so that they may be operated simultaneously, and it will be found most convenient in such cases to operate them with the foot.

Among the advantages incident to the use of my invention in connection with the sale of cigars may be mentioned, first, that the customer has access to the entire stock of cigars contained in the case; second, the work of the salesman is considerably lessened, as he is not required to handle the cigars, taking them outv and putting them back, and this is important because the revenue law requires the box to be taken from the case; third, it saves breakage of the wrappers caused by the double handling.

It will be understood that my invention may be embodied in any of the common constructions of show-cases-for example, those having straight front walls, bevel fronts or bent glass fronts, and the sash carrying these glass fronts may be made to slide in the same way, as shown in the illustration, the only change required being the formation of ways corresponding to the shape of the fronts.

Therefore, without limiting my invention to precise details of construction, I claim- 1. The combination with a counter adapted to support a showcase and having a slot or opening in its top wall near its front and a show-case adapted to rest upon said counter and having vertically-arranged ways therein, a sliding panel adapted to said Ways and conncctions extending from the back of the counter beneath the show-case and connected to the sliding panel whereby the latter may be drawn down to permit access to the contents of the show-case, substantially as described.

2. The combination With a counter having a slot in its top, of a show-case adapted to rest on said counter and having a slot in its bottom Wall, Ways vertically arranged and extending from the show-case into the counter, a sliding panel adapted to said Ways, a rocking lever, a link connecting said lever With the sliding panel and an operating-rod whereby the panel may be lowered and raised, substantially as described.

WILLIAM BOWER. lVitnesses W. G. SHY, W. D. SLANKER. 

